formation and significance of the Christian biblical canon, The

By Tomas Bokedal

Book Description

How did the collection of texts we know as the Christian Bible come to be recognized as sacred scripture? Tomas Bokedal invites readers on a scholarly journey to understand one of Christianity's most foundational yet complex developments.

This comprehensive study examines the biblical canon through multiple lenses, weaving together historical evidence, theological insight, and interpretive theory. Rather than viewing canon formation as a simple administrative decision, Bokedal presents it as a dynamic process where early Christian communities preserved and activated their apostolic heritage for both church and society.

The exploration unfolds across four distinct dimensions: the linguistic and historical influences that shaped canonical development, the physical aspects of how texts were copied and preserved, the lived practices of worship and community life, and the theological ideas that guided selection. Readers will discover how scribal conventions, the revolutionary codex format, oral Gospel traditions, early liturgical practices, and foundational beliefs all contributed to this remarkable process.

Drawing on philosophical hermeneutics, Bokedal demonstrates how the canon's historical formation continues to offer interpretive possibilities for contemporary readers. He reveals how the interplay between sacred text, believing community, and individual reader creates ongoing meaning that transcends its ancient origins.

For those seeking to understand how foundational religious texts gain their authority and continue to speak across centuries, this work provides both scholarly rigor and accessible insight into the forces that shaped Christian scripture.